Trends in Marital Happiness by Gender and Race, 1973 to 2006

    Authors

    M. Corra; S. K. Carter; J. S. Carter;D. Knox

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Fam. Issues

    Keywords

    race; gender; marital happiness; over-time trends; family; HOUSEHOLD LABOR; ROLE-ATTITUDES; UNITED-STATES; FAMILY FORMATION; BLACK; COUPLES; WHITE COUPLES; QUALITY; SATISFACTION; MARRIAGE; WOMEN; Family Studies

    Abstract

    This article uses data from the 1973-2006 general Social Survey to assess the interactive impact of race and gender on marital happiness over time. Findings indicate independent and significant effects for both variables, with Whites and husbands reporting greater marital happiness than Blacks and wives. Comparing four subgroups ( White husbands, White wives, Black husbands, and Black wives), the authors find that White husbands report the highest levels of marital happiness whereas Black wives report the lowest. assessment of trends from the 1970s to the 2000s reveals a convergence among the groups: although White husbands consistently report the highest levels of marital happiness, there has been a steady decline in the gap between all four groups. Most notably, Black wives exhibit a significant increase in marital happiness relative to the other groups. Findings are discussed in the context of the changing structure and composition of families in contemporary U. S. society.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Family Issues

    Volume

    30

    Issue/Number

    10

    Publication Date

    1-1-2009

    Document Type

    Review

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1379

    Last Page

    1404

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000269672600004

    ISSN

    0192-513X

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